Spraying machine



June 15, 1937. `T, F, BRACKET-r 2,083,634

SPRMINGMAGHINE Filed Jan. 1'1, 193e 6 Sheets-Sheetl 1 Q on June 15, 1937. T, F. -BRACKETT sPnAYING MACHINE Filed J'an. 11, 195e e sheets-sheet z .lune 15, 1937`. 11F, BRACKET-1' 2,083,634

' SPRAYINGMACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1936 e sheets-sheet s lAM! Jupe-l5, 1937. l T. F. BRACKETT 2,083,634

SPRAYING MACHINE FledJan. 1v1, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 15,1937. T. F. BRACKETT s PRAYING 'MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 3 www@ Qiagmeii Junel l5`, 1937. T.-F. BRYACKETT sPnAYiNG MACH-INE Filed Jan. 11, 1956 e rsheets-sheet e Pafms Juneis; 193'/ UNITED STATI-.s

PA'frssroF-Fica srlauirmc. MACHINE Tracy F. Brackett,A Detroit, Mich., assigner to General MotorsA Corporation, corporatlonof Delaware Detroit; Michl, a

Application January-11, 1936, Serial No. 58,641

isclaims.

y in given spaced relation and at right angles to the curved surfaces found in current body styling. For pleasing appearance, curved paneling is used so that the top and side walls are curved in all l directions and this presents problems in okeeping the gun tip properly locatedwith reference tov the immediate surface being coated.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention,

the assembled bodies are sprayed during their* 20 continuous movement on a traveling conveyor by one or more reciprocating guns guided by transversely extending tracks. Where the top and both sides are to be covered at the same time, a cominon drive may be employed forthe reciproca- 25 tion of several guns running on trackspos'itioned overhead and on each side of the body, respectively. The tracks are contoured to guide the .7

guns through arcuate paths substantially corresponding to the transverse curvature' of the body 30 and in order that the guns may additionally follow longitudinal curvature, the tracks arelmovable in the machine, and a contour ramp having a prole corresponding generally to the longitudinal curvature-and operating in timed relation to 35 conveyor travel is provided to vary track position. That is to say, in the progression of the bodies the tracks move in or Jout as the surface pre'- sented to the guns changes in plane due to body contour curvature. Therefore, track movement 40 and profilev maintain a substantially uniform spacing between the'surface andthe spray nozzles which is necessary to`insure proper coverage' with minimum of coating material. In this connection it may be pointed out that the top and sidesl of 45 most bodies "have the same curvature longitudinally, wherefore but a single-contour ramp, is

openings it is' proposed to spray only the lo'wer' 55 half of the sides in the machine and to tout' the window posts by hand in the-usual manner. Ac-

cordingly, the range of travel of the side guns isonly about one half the distance across the roof and for this reason the overhead track is provided with a pair of guns, one for each half of the upper surface, whereby the rangsof reciprocation for .all the guns is the same and all may be driven in unison by common drive' means. In any event the range of travel between opposite ends of the gun stroke exceeds the length ofthe surface to Ue coated and the gun overrides the surface at 4eachend. In the overrun deceleration and reversal of direction occurs but elsewhere the rate of travel is constant. This makes foruniform thickness of deposition entirely across the surface.

Tol eliminate overshooting the surface at the ends and the waste of paint,-provision is made for lcutting oi the ow at the end of the surface to be coated. To that end each track carries cam abutments for engagement at selected points with valve-operating mechanism associated vwith the traveling guns. In the case of the side tracks the cam abutments may be fixed in definite spaced relation inasmuch as the width of the side surface to be coated is the same throughout the length of the body. However, the WidthA ofthe roof undergoes continuing change from front to rear and to take care of thevariation the interval of valve actuation should be adjustable. Therefore, the abutments at opposite ends of the overhead track are slidably mounted and their relative positions are changed to agree with the width variations in the roof. Variation in width is substantially proportional to the longitudinal curvature of the roof and in consequence thereof, the sliding of the cam abutments on the overhead track may be dependent upon vertical movement of the track by connecting one end of each movablev abutment to a fixed part of the machine.

For a more complete explanation reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the complete assembly with a few parts broken away and shown in section; Figure 2 is a side elevation of'a machine showing with particularity the arrangement of the .contour ramp by which track movement is effected in conformity to longitudinal curvature of the body; Figure 3 is a top plan view of a body;

Figure 4 shows one of the traveling gun carriages; Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken online 5--5 of Figure 4; Figure-6 shows a fragment of one of the side tracks and the mounting of one of the nxed valve actuating abutments; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the gun carriage shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on.

- spaced relation the surfaces traversed.

line 8 8 oi Figure a; Figure 9 is a section showing the structure of the pulleys engaged by the double belt drive for the gun carriages; Figure l0 shows a belt clamp through which connection is made aoeaesa wall thereof for the attachment of adouble pulley between the belt and a connecting rod; Figure ll is a iront elevation of one of the gun carriages; Figure l2 is a rear view o1" a carriage; Figure 13 shows partly in section the mechanism for converting rotary into reciprocatory drive motion for the guns, and Figures ld and l5 are side and top views, respectively, of one oi` the 'bearing members, which ride the contour ramp and afford supports for the opposite ends of the overhead track.

Referring to the drawings, the framework oi the machine includes spaced vertical standards and an overhead tie beam in straddling relation to a conveyor line. The conveyor runs on the door and may be in the form oi a chain l which drags along a succession oi dollies 2 on each of which rests an'automobile body 3. The side and top walls of the body which are to be painted, are curved transversely as seen in Figure l and also longitudinally as seen in Figures 2 and 3. rline body is wider and higher in the middle and recedes or tapers to opposite ends.

En conformity to transverse body curvature the arcuate top track or rail l and the two side tracks or rails 5 and E are provided for guiding reciprocating gun carriages in paths that follow in given The several gun carriages are operatively' connected to a reciprocating endless belt or cable 'l which runs over pulleys or sheaves 8, 9, lil, il, l2, and i3 mounted on the framework. For taking up slack the last mentioned sheave is supported between a pair of pivoted plates id and a pressure spring lbf exerts a constant elastic orce against the plates to urge the sheave downwardly.

Because of the work to be done it is proposed clamp plates H engaging the belt as shown in Figure l0 to which is swiveled a connecting rod l 8.

.A similar connection I9 is carried by the belt in the length thereof extending between the vertically spaced pulleys i3 and 8 for connection with a carriage 20 guided in a vertical path between a pair of rails 2l engaged by suitable rollers on the carriage. The carriage 2U is reciprocable and is driven through a connecting rod o1- link 22 from an endless chain 23 as seen in Figure 13. This chain is.. contained within a housing forming a part of one of the vertical frame standards and operates on a pair of spaced sprockets 24 and 25. By reason of this endless chain and connecting rod assembly, a uniform speed is imparted vto the drive belt 'l except for the interval in which the joint between the rod and chain moves around the sprockets 2l and 25 and during which no spraying is done.

` The lowermost sprocket 25 has a bearing on a stub shaft mounted in a slide plate 26 against which an adjustable compression spring 21 bears t'o take up slack in the chain and absorb some of the inertia shock incident to reversal of the direction of movement of the joint between the chain 23 and the connecting rod 22. The other sprocket wheel 24 is connected to a. shaft rotatably supported ln the standard and projecting through the 29 driven by belts 3G from a pulley 3i associated with a gear reduction box 32. The last mentioned belt drive is so constructed as to allow a slippage under strain' resulting from inertia shock.' Power input to the gear box is through a pulley 33 and a belt 3d driven from an expansible pulley B5 'associated lwith auf-electric motor 3S and the motor is mounted on a slidable pad @l which may be raised or lowered throughthe agency of a jack screw 38; operated through a bevel gearing by a handle 39. This adjustment effects changes in speed by applying tension on the belt to vary the diametery of the belt'engaging surfaces on the expansible pulley 235.

A similar variable speed drive arrangement is' provided for moving roof contour ramps to raise and lower the overhead track in relation to the vlongitudinal sweep or" the roof. At each end the trackl is secured by bolts #it (see Figure l5) to a vertically movable guide bar or cam follower 1li having a lateral stud l2 on which is mounted a,

roller 1l3 and a retainer plate lll secured by a cotter pin or the like and adapted for engagement with a pair oi spaced vertical guide rails in its lowermost position-the follower rests upon suitable stops shown in Figure le as consisting of a pair'fof spaced ears i6 on a bearing member il Abolted or otherwise secured to the stationary guide rails de. Each end or" the follower slidaoiy mounts an axle shaft lll carrying arianged roller als for riding engagement with one or the other or mechanism is driven by .a belt 60 from an electric motor El which is slidably mounted upon a supporting arm 52 to various positions of adjustment through a screw jack and handle 53. This afords a Variable sp'eed drive by which the opera- -tion of't'he chain 52 may be set to run at a rate corresponding to the travel of the conveyor line feeding the body through the machine.

f Both cam rails comprise a series of short length plates pivotally joined at spaced points to links ofthe chain 52 in a way to accommodate the turning movement of the chain .around the sprockets. On the upper reach between the sprockets the chain links maintain a straight line position with the several segments bearing against each other at their ends to provide a rigid continuous rail.' Most of the segments .have a straight line proiile which lies below the rollers 49 in the position of rest of the follower 4|. The remaining segments are higher and cam shaped to cooperatewith one another in providing a. ramp having a promo-substantially conforming to the general longitudinal curvature of the roof for engagement with the rollers 19 to raise and lower the overhead track as the body surface brought into alinement with the spray non zles approaches and recedes whereby the distance between the surface and the nozzles remains sub- .stantially constant. In addition the nozzles are maintained apprommafely square in relation to the body surface because the longitudinally Provided. Tilting oi' the 'track is accommodated' Vspaced rollers I9 are canted and correspondinglyV l bythe swivcid joints vof thconne'ctmg rod la before mentioned, without interference to the transmission of drive from the belt -1 to the gun carriages.

O ne or more ramps may be provided, depending upon the ,numberof body styles being dealt with, and in theY drawingsthe ramps 50 and 5| vary in length and are intended, respectively,` for use with sedan and coupe' bodies. the rollers 49 fromonerail to the other each has extending between the side flanges thereof an arcuate shoe 85 on thel end of a shifter rail 66 .'slidable in a boss 610m the follower 4| and prothe body through the machine.

sov

4vided with a lateralV pin 68. In the lowered position of the follower 4| the pins 68 settle into` .the forked ends of a pair of spaced'levers 69 on the opposite ends of arockshaft 10 projecting through the bearing member 41. At an intermediate point the shaft 10 `is keyed to a. lever 1| and by means of a link 12 is connected to a bell crank 13 at the top of the framework. As seen in Figure'l the two b'ell'cranks 13 are joined to a tie rod '14`extending transversely across the machine with its opposite ends pivoted to hand levers 15 one at each side of the machine.

Either hand lever may be used to actuate the linkage and shift the rollers 49 into position to be engaged by the selected contour ramps 50 and 5|.

Inasmuch'as the longitudinal curvature of the roof is much the same as thejlongitudinal curvature of the sides, separate mechanisms are not necessary for moving the side tracks 5 and 6 to' keep the guns properlyspaced in relation to the curved side surfaces in the` forward movement of- Instead it is proposed to interconnect the tracks for movement in unison. Accordingly each side track has at its upper end a supporting roller 16 riding a latsprings and 8| and the downward movement of the' overhead track allows the side track to move inwardly under pushing force of the springs. Thus the several tracks move apart and crowd together to follow longitudinal body contour.

Coming now to the traveling gun carriages, each is arranged to hold removably a spray gun of a conventional well known type having flexible hose connections with a supply of paint and a supply of air under pressure.

colors. In other words, a. separate set of guns is provided for each color to be sprayed and each set is interchangeable. 'I'he structure of the gun carriages may be the same but'in the drawings two .distinct types are illustrated. Thus in Figure 1 of the drawings there are twoA carriages shown on theoverhead track and the carriage on the left corresponds to the carriage on the right-hand side track 6 while the right-hand overhead carriage is the same structure 'as the carriage on the left-hand side track 5. Each involves a roller'frame or plate 4supporting a pres- For shifting I'he detachable 1 mounting enables a quick change to be madewhen succeeding bodies are to .be painted differentsure responsive deviceA for controlling spray gun action and suitable valving controlling ow of air under pressure to the pressureresponsive device and being operatively related to a rock lever arranged, for engagement at selected points in the travel Yof the carriage with cam abutments to cut oi paint flow. A

Referring particularly to the left-hand carriage on the overhead track as seen in Figures 4, 7, and 8 the gun .86 is detachably clamped to the plate 81 by a swinging 'retainer strap 88 pivoted at one end as at 89 for engagement at its other end behind a clip 90. Engaging the valve operating opening plungers or stems of the gun 86 is a'.`

lateral flange 9| of a slider plate 92 guided within a recess in the face of the plate 81 behind a cover 93 secured by screw studs as seen in Figure 5. At the opposite or upper end of the slider 92 a lateral flange 94 is fastened to the stem of a piston 95 slidable within a bore of a valve casing 96 as seen in Figure 8. A lateral'port 91 leading from the bottom of the piston chamber connects with a transverse chamber having a vent 98 and containing a slidable piston 99 adapted to close off the vent and provided with an operL ating spring |00 -as shown in Figure 4. On the `side of the piston opposite to the vent hole 98,

a port I 0| leads to a valved passageway in which is slidable a poppet valve |02 acting Vagainst a spring |03 to admit air under pressure through a flexible hose fitting |04.

The stem of the poppet valve extends beyond the casing 96 and has'a rocking bearing Within the recessed end of a-stem |05 which is adjustably secured as by means of a set screw and lock nut assembly |06'to one leg of a bell crank |01. The piston valve 99 isv likewise provided with a stern having a rocking bearing within the recessed end of a' stem |08 associatedwith a set screw vand lock nut assembly |09 in the other arm of the bell crank lever |01.A

In the position of the parts shown in Figure 4 the flow of paint through the gun is cut off and the piston 99 is retracted to vent the pressure responsive devicev through the port 98, the poppet valve I 02 being closed. When the valve is to be opened for the flow of paint the rock lever |01 is swung about its pivotal connection ||0 on the Iplate 81 under" influence of a compres- -sion spring interposed between' a ribbed formation on the plate and an adjacent leg of the bell crank until the other leg engages an adjustable stop in the form of a set 'screw and lock the valve |02 is moved from its seat to' allow airunder pressure to flow through the hose'connection at |04 through the duct |0| to the chamthrough the port 91 behind the piston 95. In this fashion the slider plate 92 will be lifted to Aopen the valves controlling the air and paint flow vthrough the gun. Complete cut-off lof paint ow while ,the machine is cycling or otherwise is accomplished through a master valve under control of the operator and which opens or closes the flow of air under pressure through hose lines leading to the connections |04 of the shut olf valves on the several carriages. y 'Ihe structure of the other. gun carriage is much -the same except .for 'the arrangement of the valve housing.' That is to say, the valve housing indicated at. ||3 in Figure 11 is posi tioned on the plate |-|4` above the rock lever H5.

Here again the rock lever is actuated by 'a compression spring IIS into engagement with the stop ||1 to allow air under pressure to feed and supporting a pair of spaced rolls |24 for engagement with the upper surface of the track. At the bottom'of the plate |23 a'stud |25 pivots a swinging arm |26 on which is supported a roll |21 for engaging the lower edge of the track. A lateral ear |28 o-n the arm |26 projects through a slot |29 in the plate |23 to seat one end of a coil spring |3|] bearing at the other end against an adjustable strat |3| A set screw and lock nut assembly |32 associated with a lug |33 on the plate positions the seat |3| and allows a change to be madefin the tension of the spring |30. The spring bearing against the pivoted plate |26 holds the three rollers in proper contact with the opposite edgesof the rail, takes up wear and compensates for variations in the distance between the rolls as the carriage travels between the comparatively straight'and curve-d sections of the rails.-

Holes as shown at |34 are provided along each side of the back plate |23 for connection through a universal joint to either thereof of the connecting rod I8 which join's the carriage to the reciprocating belt 1. In the case of the two carv riages on .the top rail 4- only one need be joined to the operating cable provided the carriages are joined together by a connecting rod as shown at |35 in Figure 1. The use of the connecting rod |35 causes the two carriages to move in unison both ih the same direction between the ends and the middle of the track. 'I'he range of reciprocation of all the carriages isV the same and each of the top carriages covers one half of the roof surface. As will bey apparent from the showing in Figure 1, as one side carriage moves 11D. the

other moves down and the weight of one balances that of the other. Therefore, the work required of the reciprocating belt is reduced to a minimum and reversal shocks are partially absorbed by thecOunter-action,

The valve actuating bell cranks |||1||5 are each provided with rollers -|36 to 'engage cam abutments near 'opposite ends of the range of travel to cut oi the iiow. These cam, abutments as applied tothe side tracks 5 and 6 may comprise slotted plates |31 as seen in Figure 6 and set screwsI |38 rpassi g through the slots rigidly hold the abutments in adjustedfposition on the tracks.` It will be understood, ofcourse, that the position of the abutment members .|31v will be dependent upon the length of the surfaceto be covered so that although theV gun carriages may overrunthe Adistance across the surface, rthe flow of paint will be'. cut off as soon as the carriage passes beyond the surface. Sumcient overrun is provided to put the reversal of motion of the carriage beyond that portion of the travel 'in which iiow occurs, and to insure 'a constant speed .Y during the iiow period.

Y. In the case ofthe carriages on'the overhead rail 4, the valve actuating abutment in thevcenter front to rear.

of the rail may be in the nature of a strap |40 rigidly secured to the track by screws |4| and provided on its upper surface with a. cam'formation for engagement with the rock lever on the. left-hand carriage and with a cam formation on the underside for engagement with the rock lever of the left-hand carriage.. As seen in Figure l1 the relation of the upper and lower cam forma-` tions is such that the' valves in either case are `notv cut off until the center reached, there being preferably a slightoverlap to insure complete COVel'age.

At each side of the top rail an adjustable cut off abutment is provided in order to take care of i the variation in distance across the roof from For this purpose the abutment may be mounted as shown in Figure 4 where 'to be connected to any suitable fixed portion of the frame. The abutment' |50 at the opposite end of the track is of the same construction and by'reason thereof the upward movement of 'the track 4 in conformity with longitudinal curvature will tension both straps |43 and slide the' cam abutments |44 and |50 outwardly. against the tension of their respective springs and thereby lengthen the interval during which the spraying of paint is being eected. Downward movement of the rail 4 will, of course, relieve tension on the straps |48 and allow the cam lrails to be returned under influence of their springs |41.

Thusl the ktravel of the several guns automatilesA Y the numeral |44 indicates a plate with which cally follows paths conforming to body contour y in proper spaced relation to the surface and the feed of paint occurs only during travel over the surface to be coated. As a result uniform coverage with no waste is had.

If only one color is being sprayed on all bodies,

. as is done with the initial priming coat and a second filler coat, there is no need for interchangeability of guns. On color coats, the feature of interchangeability will enable one machine to be used for several colors. Where the speed of the conveyor line and spacing between succeeding bodies is such that there is insufilcient time to make the change, additional gun carrying units may be erected in side bypside relation, with provision for theirselective drive from one chain and connecting rod assembly. This is donel by making the upper sheave or sheaves, each in the form of a drum'with the cable wound a few turns around the drum for imparting motion to a vshaft to drive other sheaves thereon.v A dog clutch at each color unit would enable operation `of whichever unit is desired.v In this case theN segmental chain ramp ean'be .extended to reach all of the gun carrying units so each will follow the roof and side sweeps as the segment profile passes under the roof rails with the possibility of-` more thlanone unit working at the s ame time. Whereas according to the above description movement of the side tracks 5 and 6 isI dependent upon the movement ofthe roof track. .4 there may be provided 'as a modication additional profile cams similar to those shown at 50 and 5I for engagement by a. suitable'carriage or follower tovwhich the operatingcables -32 and 83 are connected. This would enable a more accurate control of side track movement for shifting the track lmore nearly in conformity t-body side wall contour. Alternately the traveling dolly may be provided along both sides with longitudinally curved railsof the same shape as the i body side walls to guide the side tracks 5 and 6 and thus maintain the guns at the proper given distance from the body surface.

'Instead of usingv the cable |48 to connect ,the slidable cut off member |50 with a. fixed part of the frame for varying the point of cut oif iii` relation to the height of the overhead track 4, there may be provided a swinging lever 'pivotally mounted on the track with a connection at one end to the abutment |50 and with a roller at the other end adapted upon movement ofthe track to ride on a fixed camming plate and thereby swing the lever to shift the abutment. The cam development of the plate surface would cause the cut off points to follow the curved outer margin or drip edge of the roof.

Duplicate chain ramps conforming to body contour at each side' of the machine can be replaced by a si gle ramp at one side only to operate suitable rack elevating mechanism. GFor example, the opposite ends of the track 4 may be supported on the ends'of a pair of spaced levers fixed on a r'ock shaft extending across the frame with one of the levers bearing on the ramp follower 4|. A

I n addition the contour ramp engaged by the follower 4| may be driven in direct relation toV substitutionl of motion transmitting mechanismoperated directly from the conveyor. For this purpose there may be positioned on the floor adjacent the path of the moving bodies an endless chain connected through suitable gearing with the drive sprocket 54 and provided with al number of dolly engaging arms through which the chain is moved forward vas the automobile body travels through the machine.

I claim: y

l. A machine for applying a surface coating on an automobile body or the like while the'body is moving on a conveyor line, a lreciprocating applicator, a movable'track guiding the applicator in its' reciprocation, and means -operating in timed relation to the movement of the body tovary the position of the track with reference to body contour so that uniform spacing of the applicator and body surface is maintained throughout the coating operation.

. 2. For coating a surface on a moving body. which is non-planar in contour in the direction of movement, an applicator, and movable cam means driven inftimed relation to the movement of the body for moving the applicator in a direction at right angles to the surface in conformity with surface contour as the body pro- E stantially conforming-to the transverscontour of the surface, anapplicator supported. on `said carried on the conveyor andvwhose surface to be coated is curved in thefdirection of conveyor' movement, said machine including an applicator device adapted for movement back and forth in adirection transverse to the direction of conveyormovement, a guide track supporting said appli-- cator device for relative movement thereon vand being itself shiftable toward and away from the conveyor and means operating automatically for shifting said guide track to maintain the path of `transverse movement of the applicator device in given relation tothe surface presented thereto in the movementof the body on the conveyor.

5. A surface coating machine for use with a conveyorl adapted to carry bodies whose surface to be coated is curved in the direction of conveyor .travel, said machine including an applicator, a

track supporting the applicator for reciprocation in a direction transverse to conveyor travel, and

means acting automatically in relation to thej Vthroughout conveyortravel. i

.6. Means to'vary the position of a track in relation to rate of travel of aconveyor to maintain a given spacing between a surface coating device reciprocable on the trackand the longitudinally curved surface of a body carried by the conveyor, said means comprising a cam rail having a bearing face contoured to follow the general curvature of the surface to becoated, means to move said rail in timed relation to conveyor travel and al cam follower adapted for operative connection with said track.

7. Means to vary the position of a track in relation to rate`of tra-vel of a conveyor to maintain a given spacing betweena lsu'rface coating device reciprocable on the track and the longitudinally curved surface of a body'carrived by the conveyor, said means comprising track supporting structure land including a ramp contoured to conform generally to longitudinal curvature of said surface, means adapted for connection with said track and to ride said ramp, and means imparting relative movement of the ramp and track at the rate of L conveyor travel.

8. Means to vary the position of a track in relation to rate of travel of a conveyor to maintain a given spacing between a surface coating device reciprocable on vthe track and the longitudinally curved surface of a body carried by the conveyor, said means comprising a shiftable cam follower operatively connected with the track, a series of cam rails differing in contour and conforming individually to the general curvature of a surface to be coated, selector means for shifting said cam follower'into voperative engagement with a selected cam rail and drive means for the relative movement of the track and rails at ,a rate related to the rate of conveyor travel.

' 9. In a` machine for coating simultaneously the longitudinally curved Walls of a body while the body is traveling a. conveyor line, a vertically movable transversely extending track adapted to guide' a rreciprocatory applicator, a transversely movable vertically extending-.track alsoadapted 'to guide a' reciprocatory applicator, means associated with one of said tracks to move the same in relation to wall curvature for maintaining the applicator guided thereby in given spaced relation to the surface .being coated and motion transa reciprocatory applicator, a pair of transversely A"movable side tracks to guide reciprocatory applicators, means to raise or lower the top track automatically in relation to the curvature of the top.

surfaceA of the body to .maintain ,given spacing therebetween, and means to transmit the vertical movement of the top track for the transverse movement of both side tracks in substantial conformity to side wall contouring.

1l. In a machine for coating simultaneously A the curved top and sides of a body traveling'a contracks conforming in shape to the transverse surface contour of the.body, guide means for'theseveraltracks to accommodate their movement inwardly or outwardly in. relatior 1. to thedirection of conveyor-travel, a serieiof applicators'mounted for reciprocation'on said 'tracks in spaced relation to the .wallssurface and means acting in relation to longitudinal surface contour of the body for moving-said. tracks vintheir guides to maintainv said'spaced relation substantially uniform fro end to end of the surface to be finished. 13. For coating'a surface which is wider at one point than another, aI traveling conveyor with which the surface moves, an applicator adapted to reciprocate across the surface transverselyto the direction of conveyor traveLvalve I. operating means for cuttingvoft the flow of surface coating material near each end -of the stroke of the applicator, and means acting on the valve operating means to varyithe interval of flow automatically in relation .to the width of the surface being voatefh.v 14. The combination with a traveling conveyor .to carry a body, whose surf ac e to be coated is curved'inthedirection of conveyor travel and diilers in width 'inf relation to the curvature, of a reciprocating applicator, a track to guide the applicator" in the movement transverse to the ditrack in a direction to' and from the conveyor -to followfthe curvature of the surface as it is conveyed to the applicator valve operating means controlling the interval of flow of coating material between opposite ends of the reciprocation, and means controued'by 'variation in track position tfo 'vary the action of said valve operating means' and change the length of the ow interval.

15. In 4combination with a traveling conveyor to carry a body which tapers in width and height, means to apply a surface coating' to said body. including a reciprocating applicator having valve operating means to control the flow of coating material, a guide track supporting the applicator and extending transversely to the direction of conveyor travel, means to move the track to and .fro to follow automatically the contour of the body and maintain the applicator in given spacingto the surface; a trip device movably mounted on the track and adapted for engagement with said valve operating means to out off flow of coating material 'through said applicator and` means-for moving said trip device upon track movement to change the interval of `cut off.

16. Means for spraying opposite sides of a body at the same time, including a traveling conveyor to carry the body, a. Ipair of transversely spaced vertically disposed tracks between which the body moves, 4spray guns 'guided for reciprocation by said' tracks, power drive means common'to said guns, and connections between the drive means and the respective guns so arrangedthat the guns travel lsimultaneously in opposite directions Ain counter-balanced relation.

17. Means for spraying the top and sides of a body, including incombination with a traveling conveyor -to carry the body, an overhead track extending transversely of the 'direction of conveyor travel, a pair of transversely spaced tracks extending vertically on opposite' sides of the conveyor, reciprocable spray' guns guided by' said tracks, driving means common to the several guns with connectionsto the guns on the side tracks for their'cou'nterbalancing action, and a connection to one of a pair of guns onl the overhead track, anda drag link connecting'said pair of guns for their unisonal movement and spacing the guns apart a distance. less than the length of the reciprocatory stroke of the guns to insure an overlap of gun. travel at fadjacent ends of their respective strokes.

18. Means for spraying the top and vsides of a body," including incombination `with a traveling conveyor to carry the body, an overhead track extending transversely of .the direction of conveyortravel, a pair of transversely spaced tracks extending vertically 6h opposite sides of thel conveyor, reciprocable spray guns guided by said tracks, means acting automatically as the body moves under the overheaditrack for moving the overhead track in a 'vertical direction" in frelation to body contour, means mounting each side rection o f conveyor travel, means for moving the j forthe outward movement'fofthe' side tracks in unison with the upward Vmovement ofthe overhead track.

` TRACY F. amicika'rr.v 

